Celebrating Our Community: Exeter’s First Student-Staff Appreciation Event

For generations, Exeter College has been known as a warm, inclusive, and supportive home for its students. That community spirit, made possible by the quiet acts of service and kindness that happen every day, was at the heart of Exeter’s first-ever Student-Staff Appreciation Event, which brought together students, staff, and fellows in a celebration of everyone who contributes so meaningfully to College life. 
 
Organised by the MCR in collaboration with the JCR and College — and inspired by a tradition first started at Imperial College’s Department of Bioengineering — the event invited members of the community to write notes of appreciation to anyone who had made a positive impact on their time at Exeter. Over 170 heartfelt messages were submitted, alongside paintings and photographs, which are currently on display in the College Chapel for all to enjoy throughout the weekend. 
 
The Chapel was filled with warmth, not only from the beautiful messages, but also thanks to the College Chefs and catering staff, who prepared a generous spread of homemade cakes and refreshments for attendees to enjoy while reading the notes. 
 
The event aimed to foster a lasting culture of gratitude and recognition, particularly for the many staff members who work quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes to support College life. In celebrating one another, we were reminded that it is the threads of kindness and gratitude that weave the fabric of our shared Exeter home.